Top medical body Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has said Covid-19 vaccination did not increase the risk of unexplained sudden death among young adults in India. It added that past Covid-19 hospitalization, family history of sudden death and certain lifestyle behaviours increased the likelihood of unexplained sudden death.
The research elaborated on the impact of lifestyle factors associated with unexplained sudden death. The study to determine the factors linked to sudden deaths in individuals aged 18-45 years involved 47 tertiary care hospitals across the country.
The ICMR said, "In view of anecdotal reports of sudden unexplained deaths in India's apparently healthy young adults, linking to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection or vaccination, we determined the factors associated with such deaths in individuals aged 18-45 years through a multicentric matched case–control study."
Contrary to the notion that the vaccine increased the risk of sudden death, the study said that receiving one dose of the Covid vaccine reduced the odds of unexplained sudden death.
"Receipt of at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine lowered the odds for unexplained sudden death, whereas past COVID-19 hospitalization, family history of sudden death, binge drinking 48 h before death/interview, use of recreational drug/substance and performing vigorous-intensity physical activity 48 h before death/interview were positively associated. Two doses lowered the odds of unexplained sudden death, whereas single dose did not," the study said
The study was conducted on at least 729 cases and 2,916 controls.
"Our findings did not indicate any evidence of positive association of unexplained sudden death with Covid-19 vaccination. However, a history of sudden death in the family, Covid-19 hospitalisation and certain high risk behavioural factors were positively associated with unexplained sudden death among young Indians," the researchers said.
"On the contrary, the present study documents that Covid-19 vaccination indeed reduced the risk of unexplained sudden death in this age group," it added, as reported by news agency IANS.